Think Positive

These daily affirmations will help you recover faster

When you're injured, your internal self-talk can either help or hinder your recovery, says sports psychologist Stephen Walker, Ph.D. Instead of slipping into thought patterns that are random, reactive, and restrictive, keep your rehab on track by directing your mind to thoughts that are purposeful, productive, and focused on possibilities–so-called P3 thinking.

Don't Do Reactive self-talk"Rehab takes forever. I'm never going to get out running again."

Do Productive self-talk"If I focus on my physical-therapy exercises right now, I can speed my recovery."

Don't Do Random self-talk[down] "Why me? What if I never run again?"

Do Purposeful self-talk[up] "This injury can teach me to incorporate better recovery habits into my training plan so that I'll be less likely to get injured again."

Don't Do Restrictive self-talk "I'll never get back the fitness I had before my injury."

Do Positive self-talk"If I use my rehab as an opportunity to develop some new strengths, I'll come back as an even stronger runner."